Kitchens: Leading Edge

Your kitchen benchtop profile is a crucial detail to get right. Here’s what you need to know

- Kylie Jackes

Planning your dream kitchen involves myriad decisions, and a key consideration early on is your benchtops. While your preferred finish is often top of mind – be it engineered stone or natural – the benchtop profile and thickness is equally important in creating a beautifully finished kitchen. “Not all benchtop profiles and materials are compatible,” says interior designer Rina Cohen of RCI Designs. “All come with various limitations and advantages, so you need to weigh up aesthetics, functionality and practicality to find the right profile to meet your needs and desired look.” Our cheat sheet can help you ponder the perfect profile for your space. >

START WITH STYLE

Benchtop profiles can make a striking design statement, or they can be a small yet significant detail that gives the space a cohesive feel.

Interior designer Rina Cohen suggests drawing inspiration from your interior and considering the various elements within your kitchen design, such as cabinetry profiles, hardware and tapware. Is your style classic and decorative, or more modern and minimalist? Do you prefer a slimmer profile or a more substantial, solid-looking benchtop? An initial decision is the general profile shape, either square or rounded, and from there you can refine the specific look.